CHICAGO (CN) - A promoter sued Drake for $200,000, claiming the Canadian rapper canceled two Chicago concerts after his "meteoric rise to the top of the music charts," and quest for larger venues.
DSJP Magic dba Status Entertainment, Charles Jones, and Candice Cunningham sued OVO Touring, C.J. Gibson, Debrah Hodges, and Aubrey Drake Graham pka Drake, in Cook County Court.
The plaintiffs claim they "invested $202,800 with the defendants for purposes of putting on a concert by hip-hop music artist Drake in the Chicago area in 2012. Despite having three separate contractual agreements, defendants failed to honor their part of the agreement and never put on the concert in conjunction with the plaintiffs. During these negotiations, Drake experienced a meteoric rise to the top of the music charts, achieving worldwide fame and fortune. Instead of honoring their obligations, defendants knowingly and intentionally breached the agreements, and refused to schedule the concert unless plaintiffs gave them more money due to Drake's new found fame."
The promoters claim Drake backed out of a March 15, 2012 show at the UIC Pavilion, which has a capacity of 8,500. He played a June date at the First Midwest Amphitheater in Tinley Park, capacity 28,000.
The plaintiffs say they set up another concert for Drake, at the Allstate Arena, with a capacity of 18,500, for Oct. 18, 2012.
But Drake canceled again. An agent for OVO Touring told the promoters that "it is in the best interest to either move this event back (reasoning not enough promotion time for a successful event or refund the deposits back and we part ways on this venture)." (Parentheses in original.)
The promoters claim that OVO Touring has admitted it owes them their expenses, but has yet to do so.
"Due to this outrageous delay and despite defendants' own admissions that a return of funds is long overdue, plaintiffs have been left with no other option but to file this lawsuit," the complaint states.
"Plaintiffs have been without their money for almost two years and have received nothing in return from OVO but empty promises," they claim.
Drake is scheduled to perform today (Friday) at Chicago's United Center. Ticket prices range from $100 to $985.
Plaintiffs seek reimbursement and damages for breach of contract, conversion, unjust enrichment, fraud and deceptive business practices.
They are represented by Mitchell Morinec with Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney.
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